Borehole cutter retention and fastening/locking system

Abstract

A borehole reaming cutter retention and fastening/locking system enable field replacement of borehole reaming cutter assemblies utilized in infrastructure emplacement horizontal drilling (HDD) applications. The borehole reaming cutter assembly retention/fastening system can withstand borehole drilling forces without the necessity of permanent welding, thereby allowing cutter interchangeability/replacement in the field. The borehole cutter retention assembly shape and design, coupled with the fastening/locking mechanism design, may be robust enough to replace permanent welding and may allow field cutter interchangeability and replacement. Current designs and devices utilize permanent welding of component/cutter assemblies, thereby requiring workshop/welding construction and deconstruction to enable the interchangeability and replacement of cutter assemblies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cutter retention system comprising:
 a leg adapted to receive a cutter at a first end thereof, the leg having threads at a second, opposite end thereof;   a receptacle adapted to receive the leg;   a recess in a first end of the receptacle adapted to receive the second end of the leg;   at least one receptacle locking mechanism on a second, opposite end of the receptacle; and   a fastener adapted to fit into the recess and threadingly engage the threads of the leg.   
     
     
         2 . The cutter retention system of  claim 1 , including a leg locking mechanism on a first end of the leg. 
     
     
         3 . The cutter retention system of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle locking mechanism aligns with the leg locking mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The cutter retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener a nut. 
     
     
         5 . The cutter retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle has a hollow, conical interior. 
     
     
         6 . The cutter retention system of  claim 5 , wherein the leg has a conical exterior shape adapted to fit into the hollow, conical interior of the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The cutter retention system of claim wherein the leg is adapted to fit entirely inside of the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The cutter retention system of claim including a retainer disposed between the fastener and the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The cutter retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the led is adapted to fit inside of the receptacle such that a space remains between the leg and the receptacle when the leg is placed inside the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . A cutter retention system comprising:
 a leg adapted to receive a cutter at a first end thereof, the leg having threads at a second, opposite end thereof, the leg having a conical shape from the first end to the threads;   a receptacle, the receptacle having a hollow, conical inside shape corresponding to the conical shape of the leg;   a recess in a first end of the receptacle adapted to receive the second end of the leg;   at least one receptacle locking mechanism on a second, opposite end of the receptacle;   a leg locking mechanism on a first end of the leg; and   a fastener adapted to fit into the recess and threadingly engage the threads of the leg.   
     
     
         11 . The cutter retention system of  claim 10 , wherein the leg is adapted to fit entirely inside of the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The cutter retention system of  claim 10 , including a retainer disposed between the fastener and the receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The cutter retention system of  claim 10 , wherein the leg is adapted to fit inside of the receptacle such that a space remains between the leg and the receptacle when the leg is placed inside the receptacle. 
     
     
         14 . The cutter retention system of  claim 10 , wherein the receptacle locking mechanism aligns with the leg locking mechanism, 
     
     
         15 . The cutter retention system of  claim 10 , wherein the fastener is a nut. 
     
     
         16 . A borehole reaming cutter assembly comprising:
 a borehole reaming cutter;   a leg adapted to receive the borehole reaming cutter at a first end thereof, the leg having threads at a second, opposite end thereof, and the leg having a conical shape from the first end to the threads thereof;   a receptacle, the receptacle having a hollow, conical inside shape corresponding to the conical shape of the leg, the receptacle adapted to permit the leg to fit inside the receptacle;   a recess in a first end of the receptacle adapted to receive the second end of the leg;   at least one receptacle locking mechanism on a second, opposite end of the receptacle; and   a fastener adapted to fit into the recess and threadingly engage the threads of the leg.   
     
     
         17 . The borehole reaming cutter assembly of  claim 16 , including a leg locking mechanism on a first end of the leg. 
     
     
         18 . The borehole reaming cutter assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the receptacle locking mechanism aligns with the leg locking mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The borehole reaming cutter assembly of  claim 16 , including a retainer disposed between the fastener and the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The borehole reaming cutter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the leg is adapted to fit inside of the receptacle such that a space remains between the leg and the receptacle when the leg is placed inside the receptacle.